President Rouhani Rejects Peace Talks without Afghans Involved

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Sunday that any peace initiative which is not engaging the people of Afghanistan or their representatives is doomed to failure, reiterating that Tehran is after sustainable peace in its Eastern neighbor.

“Any peace without the vote of the Afghan nation and their representatives is meaningless and surely it will not last,” President Rouhani said today in Tehran, while receiving credentials of newly-appointed Afghan Ambassador to Iran Abdulghafour Lival.
“Tehran supports Afghanistan’s national sovereignty and unity and is always ready to help establish lasting security and peace in the country,” he highlighted.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran believes that the presence of foreign forces in any regional countries creates problems and we are certain that the military presence of the US in Afghanistan is not beneficial to the security in the country and its people,” the Iranian head of state reiterated.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran has always been alongside the people of Afghanistan and we have given service to the dear people of Afghanistan like our own people," Rouhani added.
Tehran is ready to strengthen sustainable peace and security in Afghanistan, he said, adding, “Sustainable security will encourage Afghan immigrants to go back to their homeland and enhance trade relations and investment in both countries."
“Shiites and Sunnis, and different religious groups must feel that they are members of a big family named Afghanistan," he noted, Stressing the need for unity among different ethnic and religious groups in Afghanistan.
“Any terrorist act by any group is condemned by Iran and Tehran is determined to further deepen its friendly relations with the Afghan nation and government," Rouhani said, condemning the recent terrorist acts in Afghanistan.
At the same meeting, the new Ambassador of Afghanistan to Tehran Abdulghafour Lival presented his letter of credence to Rouhani and said, “the number of Afghan immigrants in Iran is higher than some other countries' population, and the Afghan government and nation appreciate the great Iranian nation’s hospitality."
Afghanistan is ready to develop cooperation and relations with Iran, he said, adding, “Afghanistan will not let any country to use its soil to attack the Islamic Republic of Iran."
Earlier on the day, the Iranian foreign ministry strongly deplored the suicide attack in a wedding ceremony in Kabul which killed and wounded hundreds of people, emphasizing Tehran's continued support for Afghanistan.
Foreign Ministry Spokesman Seyed Abbas Moussavi extended his condolences to the Afghan people and government as well as the family members of the victims of the inhumane act, and described the culprits behind the attack as enemies of humanity, peace, security and stability of Afghanistan.
"Afghanistan is living a difficult and decisive period and is facing many problems and obstacles on this path; we rest assured that Afghanistan can go through these problems by unity among the government, nation and all groups and tribes as well as patience and prudence, and devise a bright future for the next generations of the country, and it will always have Iran beside it on this path," he said.
At least 63 people were killed and scores wounded in an explosion targeting a wedding in the Afghan capital, officials said on Sunday, the deadliest attack in Kabul this year.
The suicide blast took place on Saturday evening in the men's reception area at the Dubai City wedding hall in Western Kabul, in a minority Shiite neighborhood, packed with people celebrating a marriage.
Women and children were among the casualties, interior ministry spokesman Nasrat Rahimi said on Sunday.
The Taliban denied any involvement in the attack, calling the blast "forbidden and unjustifiable".